Each year the Wisconsin Agricultural and Life Sciences Alumni Association (WALSAA) recognizes student excellence at UW–Madison. WALSAA is a charitable organization that supports the University of Wisconsin’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences relationships with students, faculty and alumni.

One way that WALSAA helps undergraduates is through their Outstanding Sophomore Award. The WALSAA scholarship committee narrows down many applications to select the Top 10 Outstanding Sophomores who demonstrate excellence in academics, leadership and service to the University and their community. The students are awarded a financial gift to apply toward tuition in their junior year at UW-Madison.

This year the Department of Animal & Dairy Sciences is excited to announce Jared Baudhuin and Olivia Pusch as two of ten recipients of this award.

Jared Baudhuin is a junior Dairy Science major and is currently pursuing a certificate in agricultural business management. Aside from being actively involved in several student organizations and a student manager at the Dairy Cattle Center on campus, he is a state-certified volunteer firefighter with the Brussels-Union-Gardner Fire Department. Jared enjoys his time on campus as “the University of Wisconsin-Madison is one of the top agricultural schools in the nation. It has a one-of-a-kind education due to its location and outstanding leaders.”

Olivia Pusch is a junior double majoring in Animal Science and Genetics and Genomics. Her passion for agriculture and involvement keeps her busy as a dedicated member and leader of the multiple organizations on campus. She is also is an independent research student studying DNA methylation and the impact it can have on fertility in cattle and has started her own herd of Wagyu and Angus cattle. Olivia said her time in CALS has allowed her “to gain all the benefits of a large, Big Ten University as well as all the great things that a tight-knit, passionate group of learners has to offer.”

The Department of Animal & Dairy Sciences would like to extend its sincere congratulations to these two students receiving this prestigious honor. For more information on WALSAA visit www.walsaa.org.  

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